Theory Applied: Experiential Teaching Integrates Student Learning With Community Needs

This paper discusses an existent course which couples theoretical learning with business application. Though many attempts have been made at such an integration, this course is unique in a number of respects. Student teams function as would actual business teams, synergistic teams are developed and students can even fire team members. The theoretical instruction is taught in the form of a complete unit, directly coordinated with the phase of work being done with a team’s business client. Resultant student/business associations are so strong and mutually beneficial that complete business cooperation is received during the entire course. Businesses fully participate in and sponsor the final course seminar, and a very high percentage of team proposals are implemented by businesses. The potentials of the method are far reaching and extensions into other courses are discussed.